Wales Rally GB 2016

[KKS]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P0s7aWAmgg
"Wales Rally GB Day3 Alwen" by Elwyn R

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I'm just putting my input on the shakedown.

I think the top 3 come sunday afternoon will not include any top 3 drivers from today.

So the top SD driver was 2nd O/A with the most stage wins and all from a bad road position..

[BigWorm]

So the top SD driver was 2nd O/A with the most stage wins and all from a bad road position..

Heh, you will never drop this

But I don't regret what I said, though. I underestimated Tänak's pace and fair play to him, he was outstanding this rally and I think if he was 4th in SD it wouldn't have changed anything. But where were the other 2 from the top 3 in SD? Not on the podium, that's for sure

[EightGear]

I didn't. He said something different. He said the cars are falling apart under Abbring's hands because of his driving not that he is crashing too much. He keeps repeating it also on Czech forums, that's why I reacted maybe too harsh.

Anyway in my post I didn't critize Abbring for going off but rather saying that what he showed on several short stages is hardly an evidence of anything. Especially when he went off quickly.

He went off after trying to avoid a rock coming out of a corner, he hit a bank which broke the suspension. Doesn't seem as a result from pushing too hard or something.

[BigWorm]

Are we still discussing what's going on with the Fiestas??

Östberg's just not fast and Camilli isn't either(yet, he's still learning). Tänak is just so much better and that's why he's on the pace and the others aren't.

Östberg couldn't beat Fabian Kreim for that matter...

[Rally Power]

Congrats to Ogier and Lappi but also to Tanak and DMack! Surprising stage times from Abbring. Nice win for Koci and 2nd title for Tempestini, well done!

That's obvious R2 vs R3t, quite a difference, you can't compare them

Why not? Both are eligible’s for WRC3 and besides Andolfi many other drivers in ERC or national series proved that R2 cars can get quite close to R3’s, even if in theory they’re inferior. Anyway, my goal was to mention Lopez nice performance in a WRC event after his brilliant win in 208 French Cup.

[Grundo Farb]

They aren't special, D-Mack tyres are just softer than Michelins, be it hard or soft compound. But to say it is huge advantage, hardly.

Watch a video of the cars going through the same set of corners. The DMACK car does not slide nearly as much as the michelins. It's not one driver, Meeke, Paddon, Neuville all look the same whereas Tanak could drive a much straighter line.

[br21]

The team said they thought it failed because it was damaged from trying to get out of the ditch on ss1 didn't they? They probably have more idea about it than us.

Sorry Mirek, I was thinking about it when I was writing that not always press release is saying thruth.

[Simmi]

so whats peoples taughts on the 2016 rally in terms of stages..viewing points..service ...etc etc

Not sure what people experienced on other stages, but it definitely seemed to me that the organisers had taped a lot more areas around the spectator entrances. So places that in the last few years you could stand and 'roam free' you were now taped in. Certainly on shakedown there was plenty more tape. More on Gartheiniog too.

Despite all that I still enjoyed it and managed to get roughly where I wanted to go. Pics to follow later this week.

[Mintexmemory]

Impressions of my weekend:
Shakedown. First time I'd done Cloc' and what a great morning. Tanak was visibly on form and such a thrilling series of runs. Ogier on his first run demonstrated why he has less problems than other drivers, smooth lines and very little sideways movement. We found a good untaped spot and we're able to walk down the stage to the well-known video location and then out through the official car park back to where we'd left our car. Service park was a waste of time as we didn't get there until 2pm when all WRC cars had been carted off to the Start event. Less to see compared to last year and the Network Q stand not even manned!
We went to the Start venue but found it packed with locals out for a free spectacle. Also the cars were only accessible to the VIP pass holders. We rapidly came to the conclusion that a pint was far more attractive a proposition so walked into town to find a pub. Purple Moose elderflower ale is wonderful!
So -Shakedown good stage and only sensible marshalling encountered. Service and start - don't bother! More later (maybe the odd photo too).